[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sra,—Your correspondent, Major Baines,
in the Spectator of May 19th, writes :—" It is a mistake to set up a new shooting body. Why not make him aVohmteer outright? If he is eventually to fight, drill him now." But need he be drilled at all ? The experience of the last six months has proved the efficacy (on the Boer side) of shooting without drill. Nor is it a mistake to set up a new body. Where are the young English farmers in the programme of national defence ? A small percentage are in the Yeomanry, but the difficulty of providing a horse that will be accepted and the time occupied by the training—short as it is—make the farmers discourage their sons from joining this force. Nor are they to be found in the ranks of the Volunteers. This is due partly to a difference in social position, but still more to the fact that Volunteers must be in populous centres to get the necessary number for drill, whereas farmers are scattered over a wide area. These are the men who, given the chance, would soon become useful shots with a rifle, and who, though not pos- sessing a horse fit for a smart Yeomanry inspection, could provide a nag or a pony which would enable them to con- centrate rapidly at suitable defensive positions in a country they are thoroughly familiar with. Since Volunteers are encouraged to offer themselves for foreign service, let us foster at home a purely defensive force, drawn from "the
backbone of England."—I am, Sir, &c., H. M. J.
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